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A LIVE art session featuring 10 local and expatriate artists is set to dazzle visitors at one of the island’s most popular art hubs next week.
The three-day demonstration with an abstract theme has been organised by Indian expatriate Sudeep Deshpande who has two decades of experience as an artist.
The architect by profession, who is also one of the participants, will enthral spectators by bringing alive a canvas, around 5m x 2m in size.
“While I’ve done live art sessions before, this is the first time I will be working on a piece of this size, and I’m excited to see how it will go,” Sudeep, 43, told GulfWeekly.
“I find public spaces to be more interactive and suitable for live art events. Visitors don’t necessarily come there to see the art, however, they might be drawn to it organically, offering an opportunity for discussion.
“Some have an eye for art but might not have had exposure to it and events like these are the perfect chance for them to enjoy an immersive experience,” he added.
The poet and sculptor has called Bahrain home for the last 15 years and lives in Adliya with his wife Snigdha and their cats.
Shedding light on his creative process, Sudeep explained his ‘sequence of application’ across the three-day event from August 27-29.
“There are steps: first drip (the paints), then sponge (to mix them), and then overlap (with paints), waiting in between for each layer to dry. The overlaps will change with the tools used. For instance, I could use a knife for texture.
“The tools also depend on the subject of the piece. Various tools, giving different results, can be used to convey diverse artistic emotions,” Sudeep revealed.
He believes that emotions have personalities that often find a way to express themselves through one’s art.
The 10 artists will work on their pieces for three hours each day, between 10am and 1pm, at Bahrain Financial Harbour’s central block on the second floor.
Bahraini creative Mohamed Taha, who has participated in numerous live art sessions in Bahrain and internationally, will be presenting two artworks. A popular name in the local art community, the creative, though versatile, is known for his figurines on canvas, with compelling colour combinations that make the silhouettes pop.
“I look forward to this experience, working with talented artists. I’ve been in this field for a long time and as a professional, I don’t prepare for live painting sessions,” the 68-year-old from Karranah added.
Moroccan expatriate and full-time artist Asmaa Soulami has been practicing abstraction since the age of 10 and has more than 30 years’ experience in arts. She draws inspiration from the art culture of Europe, where she frequently travels, including the Atelier Montez exhibition in Rome, Italy.
“The theme of my painting revolves around the concept of balance between chaos and order. I use colours, shapes and forms to express ideas or emotions without depicting real objects. My style focuses on evoking feelings and concepts rather than representing the visible world,” Asmaa, who has been living in Bahrain for more than 23 years, revealed.
Saudi-based Bahraini artist Eman Shaker will use acrylic paints to create folk art-inspired designs and believes she expresses her emotions and ideas in the best way through this form; folk arts reflect the cultural life of a community.
“The theme of my work will focus on ‘scenes from local culture’, a subject that deeply concerns me, especially in light of modernity, development, and the disappearance of cultural identity,” the architectural consultant and entrepreneur, who based in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia but travels to Bahrain for her work and art, said.
“This experience will be special because it will allow me to work on the piece over a longer period of time, giving me the chance to engage more deeply with the work and the audience,” she added.
The visual artist has more than 15 years’ experience and has participated in live art sessions in Bahrain and internationally.
